2006 Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Detroit Seminar
Malcolm Hart and Pat Ferrel

Left, Malcolm Hart, Pat Ferrell, and Bob Miller.

The Shetland Sheepdog: Past, Present and Future

Or

Two Sides of a Pond Can Meet 
To understand the sheltie, you must first know and understand its history.
 

Formation and Development of the breed, Breed Standard, “differences” in American & English Shelties. Hopefully clearing up myths and misnomers.

Speakers: Mr. Malcolm Hart of  Hartmere Shelties, England, breeder of several BIS, Crufts Winners & Sheltie of the Year (England), judge for 2006 ESSC & Sheltie Bitches & judge for the 2008 Crufts. 

Ms. Pat Ferrell, ASSA Historian,  Kassank Sheltie, MA., breeder of several champions.

Information on the Speakers:

Malcolm and Pat have been communicating with each other for a long time, and now the come together to give us the privilege of hearing them both speak in one location. They will discuss the formation of the breed and hopefully clear up myths and misnomers regarding our wonderful breed. They will discuss the development of the breed and why the founding fathers/mothers in each country did what they did.  Discussion will be held on the breed standard, both English, and American.

Mr.  Hart started showing shelties in 1967. He has produced 11 champions, and four others with two C.C.s and res. C.C.s. He has had several BIS and Crufts winners. He started judging in 1973 and has judge all over the world, most recently he was voted to judge bitches at the 2008 Crufts show. He has had the honor of judging the Sheltie of the Year Show on three occasions. He has been selected as a Kennel Club lecturer for all subjects in the Breeds Training of Judges Scheme, and much much more.  He has studied the history of the breed for over 30 years, in 1998 published a book on the breed. Mr. Hart gave a lecture at the Shetland Sheepdog Conference in 2000 on History and Development and was a panel member for the open forum part of the proceedings.

Ms. Ferrell has been involved in many aspects of the Shetland Sheepdog, one of her passions is the history of the Shetland Sheepdog.  Pat is currently the ASSA Historian, this position has given her an extraordinary opportunity to see and read and study many historical papers, letters and books. She is the “keeper of the torch” on this side of the “pond.”  You may have had a chance at the ASSA Nationals to go over just a few of the many items Pat has of the breed history, if you haven’t you have missed a great opportunity to view our breed’s history. She has gathered material and made them available to the membership.  Her latest was a collection of letters written by Mary Van Wagenen and Evelyn Davis of Sea Isle during the period when the Sheltie was first making its appearance in the United States.